Dr. J. Xavier Prochaska of the University of California, Santa Cruz to Speak as Featured Guest for the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association’s Science Speaker Series

Tess McCarthy • Jul 05, 2022

Nantucket, MA – On July 12 at 7pm, the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is hosting a live lecture presented by Dr. Xavier J. Prochaska of the University of California, Santa Cruz. His talk, “From the Stars to the Sea: Accelerating Discoveries in Science with Artificial Intelligence” is part of the MMA’s FREE Science Speaker Series and will be held both in-person and via Zoom.

 

Advances in artificial intelligence are impacting many aspects of our daily lives – from movie and music selection to security and surveillance. These technologies are also driving new discoveries in science, especially in fields that have collected outstandingly large datasets. Dr. Prochaska will describe advances in Astronomy and Oceanography, two fields driven by observations of the sky and the sea. He will highlight recent developments and preview opportunities with the next generation of telescopes and satellites built to view our universe and oceans.

J. Xavier Prochaska is a Distinguished Professor of Astrophysics and Astronomy at the University of California, Santa Cruz where his research has focused on the formation of galaxies and the nature of the “Cosmic Web” that connects our Universe. He is also an Affiliate of the Department of Ocean Sciences and is pivoting to a career in Oceanography. Professor Prochaska grew up in Rhode Island.


To register for this event, please follow the link below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YuIMOrKmRI257LV077Qr-g

 

For the full Science Speaker Series schedule, please visit our website here:

https://www.mariamitchell.org/science-speaker-series

 

This series is generously presented by our lead sponsor, Bank of America.

 

The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages.

 

For Immediate Release

July 5, 2022

Contact: Tess McCarthy, Communications and Marketing Intern

marketinginterns@mariamitchell.org

Recent Posts

08 May, 2024
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews
By Jascin N. Leonardo FInger 06 May, 2024
I have written of my love for sea glass and pottery shards in the past and the recent replacement of the sewer and water lines on Vestal Street created a small shard collection over the last month. Since the work required the asphalt to be completely removed (all twelve inches of it!) and the road to be dug up multiple times as they worked to remove pipe, relay new pipe, hook up the water meters, and install drainage and manhole covers, this resulted in the earth in the street being tossed about quite a bit. And, with that, came the shards! Some of these likely came from the sewer line (yes, yuck) but others came from being simply in the dirt of the road – which was not paved until 1946/1948. Pieces were likely tossed out at times, made to act as filler in holes, or simply tossed. So I found all sorts of pieces I will keep here at the Mitchell House. They included: a lovely piece with a red floral, many pieces of plates, glass, the top of a late nineteenth or early twentieth century (medicine) bottle, glass shards, a flattened spoon, a brass knob (found by a neighbor) some nails, a spike, pieces of a larger container or two based on the size and curve and coloring of the shards, and possibly a Wampanoag stone tool. One person’s trash is another one’s treasures! JNLF
22 Apr, 2024
Yes. Well, almost. After about a month of working – and some living (staff and or neighbors) – on Vestal Street with all the sewer and water replacement work, the paving happened today (April 17, 2024). This is the first “layer” – a three-inch binder coat. In the fall, once time has passed, they will return for the final one inch of the finish layer. Some of the other things along Vestal Street will also be repaired and updated between now and the final coat – and a bit after that. But we are very happy, after all these years to have a modern system of piping – and all new drainage we never had before! While the curator in me loved the old clay pipes, they were riddled with roots from the trees, holes, and in some places, collapsed, and the twelve inches of asphalt had to go. Vestal Street was only paved in about 1946/1948 – and has not been paved in maybe twenty years so that is a lot of asphalt in about fifty years! And with climate change and the increase in how much rain we get in these heavy rain events, all that water rushed down Vestal Street with nowhere to go – except our cellars. I am sure the neighbors are happy too! A thank you to the Town of Nantucket’s Sewer Department, especially David Gray (who may regret giving me his cellphone number forever), N&M Excavating and Utilities (Dean, we appreciate you being so nice when we had too many questions), Victor-Brandon Corp for paving, and numerous others. We are looking forward to great flushing, powerful hose lines, and rainwater being whisked away via the new, never-before-had storm drains! JNLF And to all the N&M workers who wondered why I was constantly looking down as I walked along Vestal Street, you should see the trove of porcelain shards, glass, old nails, a bottle neck, 19 th century spoon, and even possibly a Wampanoag stone tool I found!
Show More
Share by: